Meeting Mr Singh

Mr Singh & I: 2006  (Started: 2004)

This piece is one of my all-time favourites.  I purchased the fabrics (florals) at Nehru Place, specifically from HP Singh and Amit Textiles (Mr Jain).  Shankar Market provided me with an amazing variety of shirt stripes and a man’s lunghi (said "loone ghee"- a sarong) which became border pieces, albeit fussy cut. 

The story begins with a photo of the Garam Masala Quilters taken at Sandra’s home in October 2004.  It was then photocopied on fabric (commercially) and given to out to all those who wanted a copy.  Mine became a central medallion for this quilt and was kindly signed for me when I left the group mid-2005.

Using the Tin Man pattern, I made the “men” in florals to represent the Garam Masala Quilters and used the stripes in each block for background zing.  I also upsized the 6” block to 9”.  Now I had a fun “group”!

This fabric mix best represented our varied backgrounds and the man’s lunghi added a slightly masculine attitude and colour.  I had wanted to move away from using American florals and use locally available fabrics – these give even traditional patterns a new fresh look.

Once pieced, I took my top into a fabric shop in Khan Market to find a stripe to bind my quilt.  The store assistants were shocked to learn that I had sewn it myself. And I suspect they did not believe me initially!  I’m not sure that they had ever come across a quilter before.  I felt proud of my achievement as they admired the “quality work, Madam”.

My quilting visitor, Yvonne, lugged over masses of cotton wadding for me so that I could get a few projects underway – basted at least!  Finally, I managed to get the piece machine quilted (with my domestic).  I’m so pleased I took Bernie Bernina away with me to India (& then on to Nepal).  It was well worth the effort to have quality tools at my disposal.

"Mr Singh & I" was eventually hung, fittingly, on a wall in our house in Kathmandu – a happy reminder of my time with the GM Quilters.

Living in Delhi was a glimpse into many worlds, one of which was that of expat life.  One woman had a tailor on staff; another decorated her home like a gorgeous gallery.  I seriously fell in love with decorating Indian style!  So yes, serious envy on all counts!!

Just for the Record:

Quilt Finished Size: 108 x 175cm
Block Sizes: 6”
Cut in: 2004
Pieced & Basted: 2004/05
Quilted: Machine 2005
Quilt Type: Friendship
Quilt Finished: 2006
Exhibited: Australia Day, 2010
Collection: Home# 045
Pattern Name: Tin Men (enlarged to 9”) p229*
Pattern Source: *101 Fabulous Rotary-Cut Quilts” by Judy Hopkins & Nancy Martin
Fabrics Purchased: India 2004/05
Fabric Design: Various florals & stripes
Fabric Style: Handwoven & Commercial Cottons
Materials Type: Cotton
Wadding Type: Cotton Batt
Backing: Cotton Sarong